Cover for spool

ABSTRACT

A protective cover for a thread receiving spool designed to protect it from crushing during the thread receiving operation and a method of making the same is disclosed. The cover is generally conical in shape and has a plurality of inwardly directed ribs which rest against the outer surface of the spool when the cover is placed around it. The outer surface of the conical cover is the thread receiving surface of the combination. The cover is formed by molding a suitable material, such as polystyrene, into the desired shape and is held in conical shape by lapped joints forming a vertical seam in the finished cover.

United States Patent Saveth [451 June 27, 1972 [54] COVER FOR SPOOL [72] inventor: Ivan H. Saveth, Bayside, N.Y.

2,217,212 10/1940 Brandwood ..242/ll8.ll 3,522,700 8/1970 Fisher,Jr. ..242/1l8.2X

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Attorney-Norman N. Holland [5 7] ABSTRACT A protective cover for a thread receiving spool designed to protect it from crushing during the thread receiving operation and a method of making the same is disclosed. The cover is generally conical in shape and has a plurality of inwardly directed ribs which rest against the outer surface of the spool when the cover is placed around it. The outer surface of the conical cover is the thread receiving surface of the combination. The cover is formed by molding a suitable material, such as polystyrene, into the desired shape and is held in conical shape by lapped joints forming a vertical seam in the finished cover.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures COVER FOR SPOOL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a protective cover which may be applied to thread receiving spools to protect them from damage due to forces of compression applied to their surface during thread receiving or treating procedures. A need for such a cover is extremely urgent in the plastics industry. Autoclaving of plastic thread wound directly on conventional thread spools often results in severe damage to the spool element.

A preferred embodiment of applicants invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and is shown in the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of applicants invention when applied to a thread receiving spool;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of applicants invention and the spool to which it is applied;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the combination of spool and protective cover;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the combination of spool and protective cover and;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the blank from which the cover may be formed.

Applicants protective cover 1 for a conventional thread receiving spool 2, such as a laminated cardboard spool, is of generally conical shape and is formed from a resilient material. The cover 1 has a plurality of inwardly directed ribs 3 on its interior surface 9 which rest against the outer surface 4 of spool 2 to protect the spool from crushing pressure during thread receiving or processing operations.

Applicants preferred embodiment is frustro-conical in shape and is formed of high impact, natural polystyrene, preferably of 0.015 to 0.020 gauge. The ribs 3 may be formed from a series of elements 3a, 3b, 3c, etc., or from a single element. The ribs 3 run vertically and are arranged in straight lines for greater strength. The outer surface 5 of the cover 1 has a plurality of horizontal grooves 6 formed therein to receive the initial layer of thread as it is applied to the cover's outer surface 5.

The cover 1 may be formed from a planar blank 7 in which the ribs 3 and grooves 6 are molded. The molded area is in the general shape of a sector or outer sector of a circle so that when its side edges 8 are folded towards one another, a cover is formed which is either conical or frustro-conical in shape. The edges 8 are placed together in a lapped joint (not shown) and are sealed. The formed cone 1 is then ready for application to the spool 2.

The cone cover described herein when applied to conventional thread receiving spools protects them from compression forces and resultant damages which would result if the thread were wound directly onto their outer surface. The cover may be quickly and easily formed from a planar blank with reinforcing ribs and thread receiving grooves having been molded therein. Polystyrene is the material of choice for the cover.

As changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A protective cover for a thread receiving spool designed to protect it against crushing, said cover being hollow and of generally conical shape, a plurality of inwardly directing ribs on its exterior surface, a series of horizontal grooves on said outer surface, said ribs being mounted in a vertically straight direction, whereby said horizontal grooves are adapted to receive the initial layer of thread and the vertical ribs are adapted to protect the spool from crushing pressure.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover is formed from a resilient material.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover is formed from polystyrene.

4. A cover as c armed in claim 1 in which the cover is held In a conical shape by lapped joints.

5. A cover as claimed in claim 1 which is frustro-conical in sha e.

6 A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the inwardly directed ribs are straight.

7. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the ribs comprise a series of rib elements.

1 I i i i 

1. A protective cover for a thread receiving spool designed to protect it against crushing, said cover being hollow and of generally conical shape, a plurality of inwardly directing ribs on its exterior surface, a series of horizontal grooves on said outer surface, said ribs being mounted in a vertically straight direction, whereby said horizontal grooves are adapted to receive the initial layer of thread and the vertical ribs are adapted to protect the spool from crushing pressure.
 2. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover is formed from a resilient material.
 3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover is formed from polystyrene.
 4. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the cover is held in a conical shape by lapped joints.
 5. A cover as claimed in claim 1 which is frustro-conical in shape.
 6. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the inwardly directed ribs are straight.
 7. A cover as claimed in claim 1 in which the ribs comprise a series of rib elements. 